This was my first time doing a patterned dress and a braid (I was getting bored with simple hair). The braid really didn't work that well...

belladoggy

03-14-2012 10:47 AM

For a beginner, you're really good. Like, REALLY good. The braid looks fine, actually. It's the highlights on her bangs that look kind of fake...try adding in strands. The pattern on the first dress looks very cool, but the outline is a little odd. The second dress also looks good, but it's a bit pillowy. The best part of that dress is that you shaded the trim. Try adding in folds across her abdomen so you can shade it differently.

TheHayleyDoll

03-14-2012 11:45 AM

I actually think the braid looks really good! I'm terrible at braids. I haven't tried them since I started and they were pretty crummy, so I haven't tried them since. Maybe I will on my next doll. Thanks for the inspiration. =P

Other than what Bella already said, I have one critique and another that's more of a personal opinion. 1, shade under the hair line. Use the darker colours in the skin palette to shade under the hair. Here's a quick diagram I made:

2, the colours you used are a little dull. Brighter colours seem to grab more attention. The colours you used might be fine though, because I'm on my laptop, which has issues in making colours lighter/duller. But if they are, still remember this in the future. =P

LancasterPrincess

03-14-2012 02:16 PM

To add to the critiques, the shading of the first doll's dress is off. Unless that's a bell-bottomed body suit, you wouldn't see the meeting of her legs. To fix this, you'd see a highlight on her leg with a fold that continues down the hem. I wish I had a drawing to show you, but all my dolls are on an external hard drive, so instead I'll show a picture.

Notice the highlight of the top of both her legs, the very faint shadow between her legs, and the dark shadow underneath her lifted bent leg. Where the shadow and highlight meet on that leg, a fold in the dress is created that travels down to the hem of the dress.

You're really very good for a beginner! Keep it up! I look forward to see your progress.

owl_3

03-15-2012 06:19 PM

Thank you very very much for the critiques :D
I really appreciate it. Now on to my mermaid doll for Lovie's contest.

LancasterPrincess

03-18-2012 12:01 AM

I thought I'd share this with you, just in case you decide to start over or still do 2: